MHSAA Way-to-Early Rankings: Five More for Division III

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After giving you the preseason Division III top ten a few weeks ago. It's time to add to that initial list. A few quick guidelines. Consider the initial list (which I will provide a link for) as a static group right now. This list is not numbered and is in alphabetical order. The initial list does not change (yet) These are just more teams to watch that will probably be ranked at some point in the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>**Last year's record in parentheses**</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Initial Top Ten: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/08/mhsaa-way-to-early-rankings-division-iii-top-ten/">https://prephoops.com/2026/08/mhsaa-way-to-early-rankings-division-iii-top-ten/</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cassopolis (17-3) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Going to go a little off the board for the first entry. Tucked away in the far southeastern corner of the state. Cassopolis quietly put together a strong season. Winning the Southwest 10 Conference championship before bowing out in a district final to perennial state power Niles Brandywine. They return a fair amount of firepower. Especially in the backcourt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior <strong>Lucas Williams</strong> is a dynamic 6-1 guard who fought through injuries last year to complete a successful season. He was playing his best basketball at the end of the season. Junior <strong>Jamiere Pratt</strong> is quick 6-0 guard who had a strong year as a sophomore on varsity. If the front court can develop around players like senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2843531' first='Aarenn' last='Buck-Hooper']</strong> (6-2) and junior <strong>Tyson West </strong>(6-3). The Rangers could ride a little further in March this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Elk Rapids (21-4) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like Cassopolis, the Elks put together a strong season in the face of some injury adversity and flew a little under the radar. There only regular season losses came to strong Division II schools in 2025 semifinalist Kingsford, and 2026 quarterfinalist Ludington. Their final regular loss came to a strong Division I program in Petoskey. They advanced to regional final where they lost to eventual semifinalist Menominee. They were undefeated in a reconstituted Northern Shores conference that features multiple Division II programs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That is an impressive resume, and the program returns much of the core that pulled it off. They have a twin tower post look in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='2848423' first='Caden' last='Schlicker'] (6-7) and <strong>Jacob Moore </strong>(6-3). While that is uncommon size for the division in the post. They also have uncommon size in the backcourt. Senior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='3682503' first='Tyler' last='Standfest'] (6-3) is coming off a strong season and has good basketball bloodlines. If they can get a little more dynamic on the perimeter outside of Standfest. The Elks could be one of the top Division III teams in Northern Michigan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Grandville Calvin Christian (15-11) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Perhaps a bit lofty for team coming off a season with double digit losses. However they return talent and should be more comfortable in year two with head coach <strong>Paul Marandet</strong> (Spring Arbor national champion). The returning pieces fit together nicely as well. As the Squires have a good a point guard and a good big man in the fold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior point guard [player_tooltip player_id='2847565' first='Fisher' last='Dykstra'] appears to be primed for a breakout season as an upperclassman. He is tutored by coach who knows how to play the position and Dykstra certainly put in the work to improve this offseason. The x-factor will be the development of senior [player_tooltip player_id='3040681' first='Levi' last='Heeringa'] in the paint. Heeringa is a wide bodied 6-7 post with a soft touch around the basket. He put together a strong grassroots run with a big West Michigan Premier squad. There is more size in the Squires rotation beyond Heeringa as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North Muskegon (22-2) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more dominant regular season programs in the division has been on a impressive a multiyear run of excellence. With graduation losses I was prepared for the Norseman to take a bit of step back. When you graduate a next level guard like <strong>Adam Dugener </strong>(Alma College) that is to be expected. While they will still probably take that step back. The return of a young prospect might change the calculus ever so slightly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If junior [player_tooltip player_id='2527369' first='Lou' last='Gressett'] is back in the fold after playing with the Muskegon Big Reds for the last two years. The hole in the backcourt might be somewhat plugged. As a rising middle schooler, I liked Gressett and thought he was one of the top players in the state. In his detour to the South lakeshore, he appeared to shift his focus to the gridiron. If his basketball chops are still present, North Muskegon might still have one of the top backcourts in the division. There will not be a hole in the front court. As 6-5 junior [player_tooltip player_id='3683465' first='David' last='Markiewicz'] returns after contributing on strong teams since his freshman season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pinconning (18-8) </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From an area of the state not known for producing state championship contenders. The Spartans are coming off a regional final appearance. They also return their top player. It helps that said top player, [player_tooltip player_id='2430533' first='Dayne' last='Ivey'] (pictured) is one the more underrated players in the state. A unique player, the 6-2 prospect is a true power guard. Not in a throwback "bully ball" type of way. He is true scoring guard who plays away from the basket. However, he does it with power and an aggressive manner. Helps that he is built like a fullback with big broad shoulders. He also an explosive vertical athlete who excels in transition and finishes above the rim with ease.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While they did lose a lot of production. If the backcourt can develop around Ivey the Spartans could be just as good. Senior <strong>Sean Donahue</strong> returns after earning second team all conference honors and should be ready to take on a bigger role. If another player like junior <strong>Max Wieland </strong>or even sophomore <strong>Maysen Osier</strong> can take next the step in the backcourt. Ivey can stay on the wing or move closer to the basketball where he would be a matchup nightmare. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->